KING ARTHUR, CHAUCER, HENRY V, DRAKE, RALEIGH, BACON, CHARLES I AND OLIVER CROMWELL: ENGLAND’S WORTHIES, 1660 FIRST EDITION

WINSTANLEY, William. England's Worthies. Select Lives of the Most Eminent Persons from Constantine the Great, to the death of Oliver Cromwell, Late Protector. London: Nath. Brooke, 1660. Thick 12mo, contemporary full brown calf rebacked with original spine laid down, raised bands. $2650.

First edition of this popular compilation of biographies of 47 English notables—among them King Arthur, William the Conqueror, Geoffrey Chaucer, Henry V, Richard III, Philip Sidney, Francis Drake, Walter Raleigh, Francis Bacon, Robert Devereux (the Earl of Essex), Charles I and Oliver Cromwell—in contemporary calf.

"The year 1660 saw England's Worthies: Select Lives of the most Eminent Persons, a biographical compilation spanning the time from the emperor Constantine to Oliver Cromwell, whom Winstanley treats in a fairly neutral manner. Winstanley attempted to maximize his chances for patronage by dedicating the work to three different noblemen, Lord Herbert of Raglan, William Seymour, Lord Beauchamp, and Charles Dormer, Lord Dormer of Wing. He also included a dedicatory epistle to Thomas Salisbury" (ODNB). Early owner ink signature.

Text clean, free endpapers renewed, expert restoration to binding extremities. Very good condition in sound and attractive contemporary calf.